The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-02-09
THE ST. PETERSBURG MURDER

| miserable tragedy In which James G. Da-
Wis was brutslly murdered by David King
in house of i'll fame kept by Mrs, Ella
Dinsmore. We clip the following account
of the affair from the Emlenton Critic;
The CAUSES that led to this crime date
back several months. Last November
Davis sold several oil wells near KeRting's
furnace, and from them realized about
81, 100. He then came to st. Petersburg
and unluckily fell into the clutches of
Mrs. Dinsmore, who, knowing he had
money, used all her arts and succeeded in
| gaining such an influence over him that
he spent all his money in making her
presents. He bought the DR.. M'Combs
property, paying for it 5000, and gave it
among others. She took possession of It
at once, and in that house met his DEATH
After getting his money she quarreled
with him and he in disgust left for st.
Louis where his wife, from whom he has
been separa-ed for some time, now lives.
He stayed there until last Thursday when
he came back to st. Petersburg to try and
recover his squandered property. During
his absence King had become favorite ol
Mrs. Din more, and evidently was quite
jealous of Davis, wi whom he said he
would have trouble. That Davis antici-
pated trouble with his slayer is shown by
the letters that were found on his person.
Mrs Dinsmore's account of the shooting
is that on the afternoon mentioned the de-
ceased came to her house and soon became
so bOlsterous that her daughter, ILL.,, went
to get officers to eject him. While she
was gone he drew revolver and threat
ehed to shoot her. To escape him she ran
into bedroom adjoining the dining room
and attempting 10 follow he was met by
King, who, without a word, fired the fatal
shot. King corroborates the woman's
story, and says he fired to save her life.
AS they were the only witnesses of the
deed there is no positive evidence that
their statement is not true, but it is gen.
orally believed, however, that the deed
was premeditated by King, who was ly-
ing in wait for his victim. The motive
is assigned to jealousy. 1t is said that he
was heard to make threats on several oc-
casions, but We are not sure that such is
the case. At the time of shooting he was
stripped of his coat and vest which looks
as if he was prepared for an anticipated
fight. Public sentiment is strongly against
him, and when night came the feeling was
so bitter that had he been in the town the
county would undoubtedly have been
saved the cost of trial. The officers
having the prisoner in charge anticipated
this and did not wait for the evening train
but drove to Clarion and at eight o'clock
placed him safely in Jail.
David King is about 35 years old, and is
about as tough citizen as Clarion county
possesses. He is utterly devoid of all
principles of manhood, and has lost all
self-respect, if he ever possessed any. He
is depraved, dissipated and has not par
ticle of good in his whole composition.
His former home was in Housewife. He
came to st. Petersburg in 1873 and has
lived there since. When he came there
the oil excitement was at its height, and
he commenced life of depravity At
one time he was an inmate of the Kittan-
ming Jail, but for what otfense has been
forgotten. Shortly after coming to st.
Petersburg he married an inmate of a
bagnio, named Kit Whalen, and to her
credit, it is said, that for years after her
marriage she led virtuous life. She con-
nected herself with a church, became a
consistent Christian, and gained the re-
spect of her neighbors, who encouraged
her in her efforts to reform. She support
ed her worthless husband for years, and
frequently he would take the money earn
ed ct the washtub and spend it for whiskey.
At last he became 40 brutal that she
abandoned him, and drifted back into her
former life. She now has hagnio in Buff
falo. Fortunately they have no children.
King has never been known to do days
work, yet he always has money and good
clothes. He has always been hanger-on
of houses Of illrepute, and has been sup
ported by their inmates. He has sunk
about as low as a man well can.
]. G. Davis was about As years of age,
and served through the greater part of the
late war. Until he fell in with Mrs. Dins-
more he had led quiet, respectable life,
esteemed by his friends, and was regarded
as an honorable and upright citizen. The
Chiy oNO oebhShod W MN AoouibCu
from his infatuation with this woman.
Upon his person were found a sum Of
money. a watch, some papers. two walls of
medicine, alf pint of whiskey, and two
letters, one addressed to DR.. 1. J. Wire
back and the other to Hon. A. NJ. Neely.
The letter to Br. Wireback was request
that in case any hing happened to him to
telegraph to his wife in st. Louis, and if
possible, TO send her his watch and revol-
vers. The letter to Mr.. Neely contained
the same request, and in addition were
some directions about disposing Of his
property. II is thought by some that the
deceased had lien against the property
he has given to the woman, but no proof
of it has yet been found.